I started watching this after finishing up the show W, which also had the same actor, Lee Jong Suk, as the lead. After reading the synopsis, I was definitely interested but was a little worried after reading a handful of reviews. Thinking that everybody's taste is different, I continued on with it, which is something I wish I hadn't done. For if I hadn't, I probably wouldn't have had to feel such frustration and disappointment.
Obviously, this is classified as a medical drama, but all the doctors and staff that work at the main hospital can only be seen as insane. And it's not even just the medical team, but also the show's antagonists can be considered psychotic. Nothing made sense in regards to the "big master plan" or any of the characters' motives. I get in dramas things have to be exaggerated and exciting, so not everything can be 100% logical. The main character Park Hoon, for example, had some god-given gift to diagnose any heart condition in seconds just by putting his hand to the patient's chest. And I'll admit that I'm a sucker for genius characters, so I didn't mind them exaggerating ones ability. I also don't mind when "villains" make over the top plans to get his/her's goals in motion since it can provide interesting plot points. But the writers clearly thought exaggerating things to titanic heights will make a "good" show. Therefore the antagonist becomes some immature child that keeps adding and changing things all for the audience to feel surprised or intrigued. But instead, you get people watching, wondering, "when did that happen?" or "why would they do that?"
You got characters magically disappearing than reappearing and others that just do nothing but feed the flames of frustration. The main love interest for Hoon, Jae-hee, can only be described as the single most annoying human in the freaking universe. Along with every other character, she practically does nothing but make stupid decisions but says they're "justified" even though she never thoroughly explains how. In fact, I even finished the show and STILL can't figure out why she did some things. She's by far not the only one, but she's the one that made me have to pause and contemplate if this is actually going anywhere.
But I still tried to look for some positives among the ocean of depression. I'll admit that there were a few moments that had my interest (coincidentally those moments didn't actually relate to the main plot.) There were some goofy moments that genuinely made me smile. And I really wished I could have seen more of Dr. Hoon treating people instead of this constant competition between the hospital staff that is not just frustrating but questions if the people at that hospital have any morals! Like seriously!? People are more focused on using patients' illnesses and problems for competition rather than... I don't know.... treating them normally! And if by some miracle, a doctor besides the protagonist, shows sympathy, it becomes some unbelievable game changer. But even after that, the characters still will go back to their old selves after an episode only for the cycle to repeat again and again.
Although there are many more things I would love to rant about in regards to this show, most of them would be considered spoilers. But don't worry, if you still decide to watch this show (Although I'm not in full support of that call) you'll figure it out eventually. It might take eighteen hours, but you'll get there. I wish you the best of luck on your ventures! Happy watching - (☞ﾟ∀ﾟ)☞